Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-01-14
ALCOHOL.
Eta Physiological Effects Upon
the Human System.
A Prize Essay Written by Richard D.
Jennings (Colored), of
Shelby, Ala.

ScnHlusS (COlOFeuJ, VI
Shelby, Ala.
While we would consider for few mo-
ments the physiological effects of alcohol,
questions: "What is alcohol. and where is
it found2" In answer to the latter question.
we would say it is found in more or less
quantities N all ales, beers, elders, wines,
etc. In short, it is said to ex st in the juices
OF oil fruits conta ming sugar, provided
these juices are allowed to ferment. This
process of fermentation, or decay, how
ever, is necessary to the production, or even
the existence, of alcohol. After it becomes
present in these juice, the watery sub
stance may be extracted by means of dis
tillation, leaving the alcohol in its pure
state. when it assumes o semi-solid
condition. Alcohol. then, which is foun
in all spirituous liquors in common use, is
the part left after impurities are removed;
but is ordinarily found mixed with water
and taken as leer, wine, brandy, and vari-
GUS other forms of drink. When taken
into the mouth it is known by all who have
tried it, to reach every part of this cavity.
The taste at first is somewhat agreeable;
bat the roof and lips, tongue and gums, all
experience burning sensation; and at the
same time it is known to "hy TO the head.
These apparently small effects seem quite
strange: but does the alcohol stop here?
No, not by any means! Psychologists tell
US that It not only makes its course through
the throat into the stomach, and throughout
| the entire alimentary canal, but finds its
way into every tissue of the body; into the
blood-vessels, the veins, the arteries; PEN
etrating even the hardest bones, the mi
nutest nerve and remotest fiber. This in
! itself considered, is exceedingly interesting
| and even delightful; but alus! when we
| think of the effects of alcohol upon the
| system, the reflections are feartully appall-
| ing. The effect it has upon the human
system is said to be about the same Us that
it has upon lower animals and vegetation,
so far as these have corresponding organs
with those Of man. But at present We will
assume it as applying only to human
physiology.
What are the effects? To understand
alcohol is exceedingly greedy of water or
any watery substance. When it enters the
mouth it begins at once to absorb the
saliva, thus weakening the important
sense OF taste, as we'll as to defeat the first
step Nature has provided for digestion. In,
the stomach it performs similar work by
taking from it the gastric juice and attack
ing tue nerves that govern its motions.
This it does to all the digestive organs:
and into whatever organ or tissue it enters
it wealens its powers for doing its design
ed work by sucking from it the watery
part, of which SO large a portion of the
body is composed. In the stomach most
OF the alcohol is absorbed and carried
liver. Here the blood is stimulated to
over action, causing loss of power to
secrete healthy bile. The circulation of
blood being obstructed, congestion takes
place, which results in on enlarge
ment of the liver. 1t produces similar
effect in the Kidneys, impairing their
peculiar power of secreting impurities.
One great effect which alcohol has, alike
disastrous and unfortunate for its consum-
ers, is its power of deception. When intro
duced into the body it begins to excite an
overflow of the saliva, the gastric Juice,
and in fact all the secre ions; the blood is
caused to flow ct an undue rate, and the
heart beats with more force and with great
experiences feeling of unusual vigor and
activity; he thinks he was never in q
healthier condition. But that this is a sad
delusion is proved by the fact that after
this period of excitement is over the heart
Lays in its movements, the blood's motion
is far below the state of health, and the
saliva ceases to moisten the food. A state
of nervous stupidity is the result, the only
remedy for which seems to be found in
taking more drink; hence the common say
ing that "the constant use of alcohol in
creases the love of it." DR.. A. T. Kline
has truly said: "There is no such thing as
q temperate use OF alcohol" The blood
corpuscl.s being hardened, the plasma
1,,o1 ho fan no 10
ton becomes exceedingly difficult. This
causes an unhealthy, unnatural, and im-
pure fat TO Accumulate, which gives rise to
that flush or bloat SO often mistaken for
robustness of health.
Having considered some special effects
of spirituous liquors upon the human sys-
tenn, l think we may readily infer what the
general effect must be upon the man as o
whole. Since it has reached every part of
the body, destroying the moisture of every
secreting and excreting gland, thus weak
ening OF totally extirpatiny the nerves by
which each organ performs its work. there
inactivity, together with weakness and ir-
regularity OF motion, pervades the entire
mechanism of the organic man, II such
are the effects Ct alcohol, it seems that they
would suggest, ii not explain, its real ma
ture. 1t is pronounced, I believe, by all
who have made a special study of the sub
ject, 10 be poison. Ii poison, all would
unhesitatinsly say it tends to kill; and if
its use be PERSISTED in, it will reach no
other end than death. But, you ask, is this
really true of this colorless, Innocent
looking liquid? Let's see what are some
of diseases caused by its continual use.
We know that the liver kes on al enor-
nous size, and being full of white pimples
it becomes hard; that the stomach is at
first inflamed, then infested with innumer-
able sores which often become eating can
GERS, causing the organ, SO indispensable
to digestion, to gradually collapse. forming
almost one solid mass, no longer able to do
its work. Besides these and many other
waste .ul diseases caused by the use Of al
cohol, we have govt. epilepsy, paralysis,
consumption, heart disease, delirium tre
mems aud apo slexy. The deaths caused by
! these diseases are innumerable.
Ono quality which has been enormously
but quite commonly attributed to alcohol,
is that of producing health and sustaining
life by causing mild Temperature of the
30 ly, appeasing hunger, qnenching thirst,
etc. Tn,s is another one of its sad deu-